Meet the team…
BRETT MCNAMEE is the founder of RuggerRooz and has created this fun and exciting sports development programme through the knowledge and experiences gained from many years as both a player, a coach, a teacher and a father.
Brett has been very fortunate to have competed both professionally and semi professionally in the top tiers of English rugby. He has received numerous international caps at different levels with his most recent cap against Romania XV, in preparation for their 2015 world Cup campaign. He is a qualified secondary school PE teacher but continues to play semi professional rugby.
Brett has been involved in sports development and education for over 15 years and experienced many diverse coaching experiences. He has worked across all 5 Key stages both as a Rugby Development Officer as well as a Head coach for Premiership Rugby Community Projects. Furthermore, he has worked locally on several projects for Herts Sport Partnership and Hertford RFC as the Youth Coaching Coordinator. He is currently relishing his role as Lead coach for the Hertford RFC under 7 Killer Whales.
Brett’s credentials and knowledge within sport development and the educational sector will ensure that all children will be inspired towards a lifelong passion for the game and its values. However, more importantly as a father he understands the significance and responsibility to deliver high quality coaching provision in a safe, fun and exciting environment, as RuggerRooz will provide children with their first of many positive rugby experiences. Brett is RFU Level 3 Certified and holds a current DBS check.
JACK DALY is both highly rated as a player and a coach. Having been a member of the London Wasps and Saracens Academy he has captivated a wealth of coaching knowledge expertise that has not only assisted his delivery of coaching but allows him to produce strong performances on a regular basis in the National Leagues that culminated in him representing England Counties XV.
Jack Coaches at the prestigious Oaklands College working with young elite players with aspirations to progress into the Saracens Academy. He combines this with working alongside Saracens Community and Development projects delivering educational and coaching visits to primary schools.
Jack’s energy and enthusiasm throughout the sessions are contagious and all children will thrive on this. He is a fantastic positive role model and will always get the best from everyone he coaches. Jack is RFU Level 3 Certified and holds a current DBS check.
HARRY HICKS has played rugby for Hertford RFC since the age of 8 and continues to represent Hertford RFC in the senior section. Harry is a qualified teacher and remians to develop his coaching and refereeing aspirations alongside his teaching career. He has achieved great success demonstrating the knowledge and capabilities beyond his years.
Harry’s coaching and refereeing within the county has not gone unnoticed and he was recently awarded East Herts Volunteer of the Year. In addition, he was selected by the RFU to attend the National Coaches Academy and be part of their development learning programme as well being talent identified by Herts Referee Society.
RuggerRooz are delighted to have Harry as part of the coaching team. He demonstrates a fun, friendly and enthusiastic nature throughout all of his sessions, with an overwhelming commitment to ensure all children enjoy their experiences at RuggerRooz.
Harry is RFU Level 2 Certified and hold a current DBS Check.
ELLE PERRY has played rugby since the age of 7. She played mixed rugby within the Age Grade regulations until aged 12 and it was clear she had the talent and potential to succeed in the sport. She moved from Hertford RFC to Welwyn Rugby club to join their thriving and successful Girls Junior Section. This was a positive move as she went on to represent Hertfordshire and London South East at both Under 15 and 18. Elle went on to attend Hartpury College where she got the opportunity to balance a training schedule with academics, at which point she realised she may be able to make it at the top level. Remarkably, she played in the 2016 Premiership final for Saracens at the age of 18, with Richmond prevailing on the day, but she still counts it as one of her proudest rugby moments. She made her Red Roses debut in the 2018 Quilter Internationals and currently has 10 international caps.
Elle epitomises the family ethos at RuggerRooz as she is the cousin of Brett. From aged 14 she has assisted him on numerous rugby camps as well as delivering fun and engaging sessions to ‘mini taggers’. It is clear the time and energy that she has invested has developed her qualities as an outstanding coach. She demonstrates innovative practises that will enthuse all children delivered with an infectious friendly and bubbly personality. Elle is a fantastic positive role model for girls’ rugby and we are thrilled she is a member of the RugerRooz coaching team.
Elle is RFU Level 2 Certified and holds a current DBS Check.
MATT BENDIN has played rugby for Hertford RFC since the age of 4 and certainly displays an unquestionable passion for the game both as a player and a coach. His age group playing representative honours include Hertfordshire U14’s through to U20’s. His performances for London South East U20’s culminated in Matt being selected for the England Counties U20’s squad. Furthermore, he was selected for the Hertfordshire Senior XV for their 2017 campaign.
Matt was first introduced to Brett at the age of 11 when Brett led various age groups at Hertford RFC. From a young age Matt’s talent both as a performer and rugby coach has never gone unnoticed. Whilst a pupil at Richard Hale School Matt demonstrated a clear passion for coaching assisting the PE Department with numerous rugby teams. Furthermore, he was elected the Senior Sports Legacy Ambassador raising school sport participation as well as promoting the benefits of a healthy active lifestyle to all pupils.
Matt and Brett’s association is rather unique and exemplifies the evolution of apprentice to master. The relationship has progressed from coach and performer; teacher and pupil; team mate; work colleague culminating into a great friendship. An interesting fact is that Matt made his debut at Hertford RFC at the age of 17 with Brett and played in Brett’s final game for Hertfordshire XV before his retirement. It is clear that Matt and Brett have a great working relationship supported over many years, Matt understands Brett’s coaching style and philosophy as well as implementing his own distinctive coaching attributes.
RuggerRooz are thrilled to have Matt as part of the coaching team. He is an ambitious and passionate young coach with a massive future in the game both as a performer and a coach. Every session led by Matt is full of energy, excitement and enthusiasm allowing each child to achieve and exceed their sporting potential. Matt is RFU Level 2 Certified and hold a current DBS Check.
